Superficial inguinal lymph nodes
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Lymph: Superficial inguinal lymph nodes | ||
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1. Supramedial superficial inguinal 2. Superolateral superficial inguinal 3. Inferior superficial inguinal 4. Deep inguinal lymph nodes |
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The superficial lymph glands and lymphatic vessels of the lower extremity. | ||
Latin | nodi lymphoidei inguinales superficiales | |
Gray's | subject #179 702 | |
Drains from | most of perineal region | |
Drains to | deep inguinal lymph nodes | |
Dorlands/Elsevier | n_09/12576582 |
The superficial inguinal lymph nodes form a chain immediately below the inguinal ligament.
They lie along the saphenous vein (v. saphena magna), deep to Camper's fascia and superficial to the cribriform fascia which overlies the femoral vessels.
They are found in the triangle bounded by the inguinal ligament superiorly, the border of the sartorius muscle laterally, and the adductor longus muscle medially.
There are approximately 10 superficial lymph nodes.
The superficial nodes drain to the deep inguinal lymph nodes.
Contents |
[edit] Afferents received
They receive as afferents lymphatic vessels from the following:
- integument of the penis
- scrotum
- perineum
- buttock
- abdominal wall below the level of the umbilicus
- vulva
- anus (below the pectinate line)
- the lower extremity (foot, leg and thigh)
[edit] Division
They are divided into three groups:
- Supramedial or Superomedial
- Superolateral
- Inferior
[edit] Clinical significance
The presence of swollen inguinal lymph nodes are an important clinical sign because swelling may indicate an infection in the lower extremities or spread from cancers, such as anal cancer and vulvar cancer.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.
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Bone marrow | Thymus (Hassall's corpuscles) | Spleen (White pulp, Periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths, Marginal zone, Red pulp) | Tonsils (Palatine, Lingual, Adenoid)
Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue: Gut-associated lymphoid tissue | Peyer's patches Lymph nodes: Subcapsular sinus | Paracortex | head and neck (Cervical, Virchow's) | iliac (External, Common, Internal) | lumbar/paraaortic (Lateral aortic, Preaortic, Inferior mesenteric, Retroaortic) | inguinal (Deep, Superficial) | Axillary Lymph vessels: Thoracic duct | Right lymphatic duct | Cisterna chyli | Lumbar trunk | Intestinal trunk Lymph | Lymphocytes | High endothelial venules | Immune system |